Former Manchester United defender Teden Mengi who completed his move to Premier League side Luton Town yesterday, has spoken about why he felt compelled to leave Old Trafford.
The English defender was an academy prospect with high hopes but it never really worked out for him at United and he was shipped out on loan to Derby County and Birmingham City in search of extra game time but it never really worked out for him.
To date, Mengi has not featured in more than 11 games in a season in his entire career, this is down to injuries and lack of form so there is hope that a move to the newly promoted Premier League side will kick start his professional career.
The now 21-year-old has been at Old Trafford from the age of six and was included against BSC Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League back in December of 2021. He never got a chance of first-team football under Erik ten Hag.
Mengi’s reasoning for his departure from the club
Speaking to the club’s official website, the English defender has opened up on just why he is taking the hard decision of leaving United and the club he has known pretty much his whole life.
“I’d been at Manchester United since I was six and been there all my life,” Mengi said. “I’ve seen people come and go and I was the last of my age group to leave.
“While it’s sad to leave United, it’s an exciting time. I just had to be real with myself and ask what’s going to be best for me.”
Mengi’s decision
It can’t be easy for an academy product to depart United when that is the only club you have known for your whole life but Mengi has taken the plunge.
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The defender has gotten a fantastic move and will be able to experience Premier League football at the highest level with Luton and it’s easy to see why he has agreed to the move.
Mengi has also revealed the relatively easy choice he had to make when deciding to leave Old Trafford.
“(I can) stay and fight with United or go somewhere else and look for an opportunity. In the end, I was honest with myself and took that option.”